Adelaide Strikers entered the 2018-19 Big Bash League as defending champions but endured a disappointing campaign. The Strikers finished seventh in the table, losing eight out of the 14 matches played.
The Adelaide Strikers team management has retained most players from BBL 08. Though they are likely to miss out on the services of skipper Travis Head and Michael Neser until the first half of the season as the duo has retained their place in the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand.
Exit Laughlin, Enter Conway
The Big Bash League’s leading wicket-taker, Ben Laughlin parted ways with Strikers, and, has joined Brisbane Heat. The management has roped in New South Wales pacer Harry Conway who is yet to make his BBL debut. He has claimed 20 wickets in four matches in the ongoing Sheffield Shield.
Colin Ingram, who scored three fifties for the Strikers and captained them in 14 matches in BBL 08, has decided to skip the 2019-20 edition.
In-form Afghanistan Skipper
Adelaide Strikers’ highest wicket-taker in the last two seasons is in red-hot form ahead of the new season. Rashid Khan claimed his first ten-wicket haul in Test cricket recently, and, led Afghanistan to series victory against West Indies in the three-match T20I series held in India.
Meanwhile, the opening batsman Jake Weatherald scored a career-best 198 against Tasmania in the ongoing Sheffield Shield. He has already scored two centuries in this season for South Australia.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018-19 season:
Rashid Khan (790 points from 14 matches)
Alex Carey (650 points from 12 matches)
Jonathan Wells (630 points from 14 matches)
BBL 2019-20 squad: Alex Carey, Jake Weatherald, Matthew Short, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Travis Head (Captain), Jon Wells, Harry Nielsen, Cameron Valente, Phil Salt (Overseas Player) Rashid Khan (Overseas Player), Liam O’Connor, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron White, Nick Winter, Wes Agar, Harry Conway.
Play the Australia’s biggest T20 League at HalaPlay from December 17th.